Mattix Music’s Soars to New Heights with WellnessLiving
Last Updated on 21 October, 2025
A Lifelong Love for Music — and Teaching
For Katie Mattix, music wasn’t just an extracurricular activity growing up — it was a calling. She started piano lessons in second grade, added violin in fifth, and by 14 was teaching her first students out of her living room.
“I had the kids come to my living room and I taught them their little lesson and then they went away, and we had a recital with three students in my home living room. I put on my very best outfit. That was my first iteration of Miss Katie, who was my teacher persona.”
That early experience ignited Katie’s passion for teaching and building community through music. By college, she was paying her tuition through teaching music lessons to immigrant families in Chicago’s Chinatown. After earning a degree in violin performance and pedagogy — and studying under renowned Suzuki teacher-trainer Ann Montzka Smelser — Katie pursued professional orchestral work while continuing to teach. She met her future husband, her piano accompanist during this time and the rest was history.
Today, Katie and Dan co‑own Mattix Music Studio, a thriving school serving over 300 students in the western suburbs of Chicago. Their journey is a testament to what it takes to build a music school that lasts.
From Apartment to Studio: Growing a Musical Home
After grad school, Katie and Dan moved to Western Springs, Illinois. She transitioned from teaching out of apartments and churches to opening her first leased studio space — a modest two-room operation that marked her shift from musician to entrepreneur.
Katie had both the vision and the product to make it work:
- Distinctive Suzuki curriculum set Mattix Music apart from local programs.
- Her own experience and passion for teaching:
“I love seeing kids at different stages, making learning fun with games, and creating a community of learners.”
- Family-centered offerings — from “Mommy & Me” classes to preschool programs and private lessons — allowed students to start as babies and stay through high school (and even adulthood).
Building a Team — and a Reputation
Katie’s next challenge was assembling a faculty who could embody and extend her vision and stay for the long haul.
“It took growing pains to get to the point where I have a crew that’s going to stay with me for years — treasured, wonderful, highly educated, highly trained people. My main job is to make them happy, keep them in as many lessons as they can handle, and make them comfortable in their teaching space.”
Teaching remains one of Katie’s greatest passions, and she never plans to stop. A small, tight‑knit administrative team helps her balance business operations with her first love: teaching.
Growth wasn’t explosive at first — but over time, trust and consistency built momentum. Word‑of‑mouth referrals and Facebook mom groups became the backbone of her marketing.
“We’ve had a lot of mainly organic growth, but I will say it’s been exponential. We kind of hit a certain level of saturation in the community, and after that we became more or less a household name.”
Today, the studio is bursting at the seams Monday through Thursday — so much so that Katie is actively scouting for a second location.
Technology as Support
While the heart of Mattix Music’s success lies in its teachers and community, technology has been an essential support system. Katie was an early adopter of WellnessLiving, switching when her previous platform’s prices skyrocketed.
She approached the software with the same discipline she applied to mastering her instruments:
“Now I can say I basically have a PhD in WellnessLiving. I know the guts of it. I am so good at the software I can pretty much figure out how to apply it to any situation I need.”
WellnessLiving now powers every part of the studio:
- Unified scheduling for classes, events, and private lessons — even one‑off birthday parties.
- Branded mobile app and web booking so families can register, pay, and manage siblings with ease.
- Automated reminders that reduce no‑shows and boost workshop attendance.
- Built‑in reporting for payroll, attendance, and cash‑flow insights.
- Seasonal booking flows aligned with the school’s rhythms (open in summer, restricted during the school year).
Ongoing platform improvements — like enhancements to family-friendly booking and more robust digital forms — reflect the collaborative relationship Katie has built with WellnessLiving through years of feedback and advocacy.
“We’ve done our research. We’ve looked at competitors, done demos, tried music‑specific platforms and general ones. We haven’t found anything that beats WellnessLiving. It has the most capability and flexibility for what we need… nothing beats it for appointments, events, and classes — it gives parents an easy way to sign up, plus its in‑depth reporting helps me manage cash flow.”
Pride and Purpose
Beyond the numbers, Katie is proud of the inclusive community she’s built:
“I’m proud to be leading a business as a woman. I’m proud to have women working for me and to uplift minorities. It’s meaningful to share my gifts and passion for music with families in the community as a woman, a mom, and an educator — to provide a safe place for people from all backgrounds to work and learn.”
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
- Mattix Music’s journey offers lessons for arts-based businesses — and beyond:
- Start small, think long-term. Growth from living room lessons to a thriving studio took a decade of steady work.
- Invest in people. A great team is worth the time and care it takes to find and nurture them.
- Earn trust before you scale. Word-of-mouth and Facebook mom groups fueled growth more than any paid campaign.
- Use tech as an amplifier. Software freed Katie to focus on teaching and community — not busywork.
- Stay connected to your craft. Continuing to teach keeps her grounded and inspired.
Looking Ahead
With 533% growth since adopting WellnessLiving in 2018 and demand continuing to climb, Katie is exploring a second location. Her dream? A purpose-built space with beautiful studios and a recital hall — a musical home for families from infancy through adulthood.
“Something that’s just wonderful about music is you can do it literally until the day you die. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, good or a beginner — you can enjoy music at any level. That sets us apart from soccer or gymnastics, which don’t really last through childhood. We can give people a gift that’ll last their whole life.”
Ready to Grow Your Music School?
Whether you’re offering private lessons, group classes, or recitals, the right software can transform how you operate.
WellnessLiving helped Mattix Music Studio eliminate scheduling headaches, support families, and achieve 533% growth—all while keeping their student-centered approach intact.
Looking for a partner who understands music schools? Book a free demo with WellnessLiving today.
